US government jobs are perfect for those who want to serve their country while they get a paycheck. While some American government jobs may be highly competitive, there are a lot of positions available, at various levels, which means there's something for just about anyone.
Furthermore, you don't have to live in Washington DC to get US government employment. There are positions in every state and even foreign countries. This means that you can still work for the government without a big move.
If you would like American government employment:
1. Know the strict requirements. US government employment opportunities often have more regulations than those of a private company. For example, they may require you to take a drug test or do a background check.
2. Don't be afraid to start with low-level U.S. government jobs. The American government is notorious for promoting from within and you are likely to move ahead quickly if you are a hard working employee.
3. If you're sure that a US government job is right for you, be flexible with your location. You may not be able to find an open position in your town, but you may be able to get a position if you move.
Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done
Test US government jobs through an internship
An internship may be what you need to test the waters before settling on a career in the US government. This will teach you all the info about US government jobs you need to know and help you to make a decision that's right for you. Internships are often unpaid and it's best if you can take advantage of these opportunities while still a student.
I recommend: Search for available internships through the official
StudentJobs.gov website. If you've set some high goals for yourself, you may want to consider applying directly to the
White House Internship Program.
Work for the government temporarily with US government contract jobs
Some people may not want a full time job with the US government. A government contract job could be just what you're looking for. When you work for the government on a contract basis, you get many of the same benefits, but you don't have to stay there permanently.
I recommend: ContractManagementCrossing gathers the best resources for finding government contract positions. You can search their available positions. You can also search for contract positions through
Juju.
Search for state and federal U.S. government jobs
You can easily use the resources available to you online to find the perfect job for you. Search for US government jobs to get the ball rolling.
I recommend: 50StateJobs.com allows you to search for government jobs by state. You can also visit
USAJOBS, which is the official site for US government jobs.
Tips & Tactics
Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide
- Brush up on your interview skills before you apply for US government employment opportunities. With so much competition, you'll want to be sure that you can stand out.
The official source of U.S. Government Jobs is the U.S. Government Jobs page at Business.com
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